Bethlehem's three Republican Council candidates - Al Bernotas, Tom Carroll and Tony Simao - have just released a news release asking Mayor John Callahan to make up his mind whether he wants to be a Mayor or candidate."Mayor John Callahan ran for the U.S. Congress in 2010 one year into his second full four year term. During the Campaign he pronounced that the City was in good fiscal shape. Yet, he failed to submit his proposed 2011 Budget to the City Council until after the election.
"Since his failed attempt to run for Congress we have learned that the City did not spend $6 million it borrowed for the very specific purpose of replacing the EMS Building and a fire truck. Rather, it put the borrowed $6 million into the general fund. This forced the City Council to modify and ultimately pass the 2011 Budget with a 6% Property Tax increase.
"The first week of 2011, the Callahan Administration could not make payroll and did some questionable shifting of money. Shortly after that it was learned that the City’s Bond rating was dropped. A few weeks later the City borrowed an additional $18 million (full payment of that borrowed money will cost the citizens $32 million).
"Recently, Callahan traveled to Israel for the second time as mayor. Then just last week he traveled to Washington D.C. to attend a candidate training session. When questioned about attending the candidate’s school, he stated, 'I haven’t thought a whole lot about whether to run. I’ve been very focused on city hall and city business.'
"The financial situation of the city is appalling. It is clear from recent events that Callahan misrepresented this fact during his campaign for Congress.
"Callahan states he is too busy running the city to think about the issue of running for political office. At every level the management of the City of Bethlehem is a disaster. A couple of examples include that the Ice Rink was closed during the entire winter season forfeiting the normal profit, the EMS Building is still not yet built and due to delays will cost more money then anticipated.
"Anyone who lives or works in Bethlehem witnessed plowing and snow removal this winter by the administration that was a debacle due in large part to bad decisions on calling for snow emergencies.
"Al Bernotas, Tom Carroll and Tony Simao, the three Republican City Council Candidates call for Callahan to tell the truth and reveal any plans he has to run for future office. The citizens of Bethlehem deserve a full time mayor not someone who will be spending the bulk of his time running for yet another political office while continuing to ignore the financial disaster facing Bethlehem. If Callahan is planning on running for U.S. Congress or any other political office then he should resign immediately."
31 comments:
old news for a bitter old man
Good piece for this blog.
and you can't even see charlie's lips move when they speak
...Charlie the Tuna has lips?
Are they Running for Mayor or are they running for city council? Maybe it's time they get down to running for City Council and stop this bullshit of pointing fingers at EVERYBODY else in the city besides Council... Come on Al run a race...
Just when you think that these guys have a clue, they just show how truly and hopelessly politically ignorant they really are. Instead of engendering any type of good will, they lob "stupid bombs" into the ether. They have no political experience and they attack the mayor who they think is weak because of a lost congressional bid. Why don't they tackle the abortion issue next? Or illegal immigration? Funding for NASA?
Whoever is making decisions for this team should be flogged, or the members of this block need to stand on their own feet as opposed to hiding behind one another.
Three unqualified candidades demand an answer of the Mayor (that he hasn't decided yet), yes I'm sure he will get right on that. I know Charlie, uh I mean the candidates for council need this important information for their platforms. I personally think it pretty dumb to go after the mayor and city workers, the very people they would need to really generate any changes.
Seamus
In all seriousness, can anyone name an initiative that Callahan himself was responsbile for?
Does anyone know the residency requirements for running for Bethlehem City Council- (i.e. length of time)?
Actually, I think the message was right on. As a worker in the city, I can tell you the morale is at such a low point because of the Mayor's managing. Rumor has it he may run for North. Cnty. exec, thank goodness I live in Lehigh County.
Any and all that has been done in the city over the last 8 years. Everything his administration has done starts and stops with the mayor (be it good or bad). For instance holding the line on taxes (could have just raised them like others, but thought it best for all to buy time and hold the line), Smallest workforce in city history but more police and fire and EMS workers, Making Bethlehem one of the top 100 places to work and start a business, savings in administrative costs, Process improvements for city workers, revitalizing south side, saving the steel, Bringing Sands and many other business to Bethlehem in the middle of a great recession, fair distribution of Casino funds, revitalized golf course including a great restaurant, growing water distribution and more efficient processing, fair and equitable settlement on city law suits, keeping the city as one of the safest in Pa....just to name a few off the top of my head
Seamus
Seamus 11:58 AM
Mayor Callahan, don't you think you can be a little more original. Why would you take a pseudonym like Seamus?
I am most certainly not mayor callahan and have been posting for along time on here and Mcall using the same name. Bernie can verify this i'm sure
A simpler solution is Bethlehem voting for better Mayors.
I highly doubt any could have done any better than Mayor Callahan during these trying times but who knows. We will see how defunding many important programs affect the state and cities which are already dying on the vine in many places. Bethlehem is feeling the pain but surviving. The people voted in the new Governor and seem to be surprised by what they are getting. I would hate to see the same mistake in Bethlehem.
Seamus
Already back for another losing effort I see. Don't worry, Callahan will have plenty of time to campaign starting in 2012 when his term is up.
Wow we just heard from Jon getting the lehigh valley independent. Jon continue your, plagiaristic cutting and pasting the articles shown on your blog and lei us alone, please.
Jon I don't even understand your comment. In the last four elections, Dent has been the winner. If Callahan expects to run for Congress on the claim he's been a great mayor, you can make that #5.
Seamus is not Mayor Callahan. He has been a voice for progressive thinking for years, and has posted at Daily KOS. I enjoy his perspective.
Jon, you know damn well he'll run for Mayor again and hold that office while running for Congress again.
He has never held a real job in his life where he had to earn a living. He has no skills that would translate to anything productive.
Therefore he has to hold that office so he can keep a paycheck coming in while he gears up for another failed Congressional run.
Does anybody kn ow who won the City of Bethlehem races? Can't find them anywhere.
Johnny couldn't get elected dogcatcher at this point. And yes, he has plenty of time to continue to shit the bed before he whores for votes again. And where the hell is that tax relief? And why couldn't this birdbrain make payroll? And wtf happened to our bond rating? So many questions for a guy who spends more time covering for drunken lawbreakers than doing the job he isn't up to.
3.58 PM
Can't run for Mayor again. Bethlum has term limits
5:56, The races were uncontested.
zipde is right. Callahan cannot run for Mayor next year.
John Callahan held the line on taxes?
Wow. What a damn liar you are.
Bernie do you think Callahan will run for county executive? Can he win? I question if his already shaky reputation can handle the rough and tumble county political scene. Not nearly the genteel Bethlehem environment he is used to charming his way through. Unlike many political arena's, I respect pol's from Northampton County, it is the WWF of the political scene in the Lehigh Valley!
He wouldn't last six months.
Bernie
I would wager that Callahan will run for County Exec. I am sure that he intends to follow the same path as his friend in Lehigh County.
These two men destroyed the city and the taxing has only begun. Hopefully the new candidates on City Council and the School Board will begin the change that Bethlehem needs. If not, well Bethlehem will find itself on the road to perdition and ruin.
Oh Chris, the pathos, the drama.
@ BattleCry, What city did they destroy? Not Bethlehem. I remember Bethlehem Pre Don and especially Pre Callahan, and the City is much better because of them. EVERYWHERE in the Country Cities, Companies and Families are struggling. This is not a symptom of poor leadership, quite the contrary. This is a symptom of the times and Callahan is doing better for Bethlehem than many others in other Cities. Bethlehem is FAR from going under and that is largely in part due to Callahan and his team.
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